Patient warming drape

ABSTRACT

A flexible drape useful for warming a patient during surgery includes a base film defining a target region, where the base film is attachable to a body surface of the patient, and an evacuation port in fluid communication with the target region. In this regard, the evacuation port is configured to negatively pressurize the target region and vasodilate the body surface of the patient adjacent the target region.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to surgical drapes, and moreparticularly, to surgical drapes and a system useful in warming apatient's core body temperature during surgery.

BACKGROUND

Hypothermia in surgical patients has been shown to significantlyincrease the risk of surgical site infection and is associated with anincrease in post-operative recovery time.

More than 40 million in-patient surgical procedures are performedannually in the United States. During each surgical procedure, eachmember of the surgical team wears a gown to prevent the transmission ofinfection from the health care worker to the patient, and each patientis draped with a drape that defines a sterile field that minimizes thetransfer of microorganisms between non-sterile areas and the surgicalwound.

In general, the patient is minimally clothed, and the operating room ismaintained at a temperature of about 68° F. The operating room ismaintained at a cool temperature to prevent the healthcare workers fromoverheating, or becoming uncomfortably warm during the procedure. Inpractice, the Association of Operating Room Nurses (AORN) and the Centerfor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) support the American Instituteof Architects Academy of Architecture recommendation that operating roomtemperatures be maintained between 68° F. and 73° F. However, operatingroom temperatures are often maintained at less than 68° F. due tosurgeon preference, especially in cases where orthopedic surgeons, forexample, wear added layers of protective clothing.

Nearly every surgical procedure employs some form of anesthesia. Studieshave shown that anesthesia impairs the body's thermal regulatoryprocess. In this regard, the core body temperature of a patient (i.e.,the internal organ temperature) decreases a couple of degrees Celsiusduring surgery due simply to being anesthetized. In addition, mostpatients experience post anesthetic tremors (shivers). These shivers canbreak down body tissue, increase infection rates, and increase the timeit takes for wounds to heal, all of which increase the time it takes thepatient to recover from the surgical procedure. Moreover, the presenceof anesthesia, in addition to impairing the thermal regulatory functionof the patient, also constricts the blood vessels in the patient. Thiseffect is termed vasoconstriction and is the body's attempt to insulateitself against further heat loss. Therefore, there is cyclical patternof events during a surgical procedure that places the patient at risk ofhypothermia: the use of anesthesia drops the patient's core temperatureand reduces the patient's thermal regulation ability, and the coldpatient experiences a constriction of blood vessels that impairs thebody's ability to warm up.

There are negative consequences for patients who experience hypothermia.The negative consequences include adverse myocardial events, impairedplatelet function, coagulopathy, reduced medication metabolism,including reduced metabolism of anesthesia, shivering which can lead todamage of body tissue, impaired wound healing, and increased risk ofsurgical site infection.

One conventional approach to warming a patient post surgically includeswrapping the patient's body in warm cotton towels. For the abovereasons, an anesthetized patient is physiologically impaired fromefficiently warming up after surgery. Post surgically, the patient willtypically regain heat (i.e., warm up) at a rate of about one degreeCelsius per hour. Thus, an extended period of time is required to warmthe patient, which puts the patient at risk to surgical site infectionand, at a minimum, increases post operative recovery time.

Certain conventional patient drapes provide a warm air flow over apatient during surgery. These conventional “warming drapes” blow heatedair over the patient during surgery, and optionally, postoperatively.However, for the reasons described above, the anesthetized patientexperiences a constriction of blood vessels that limits theeffectiveness of convectively warming the patient. In addition, theforced flow of warm air has been associated with the undesired movementof debris onto the sterile field.

For these and other reasons, there is a need for the present invention.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present invention relates to a flexible drape usefulfor warming a patient during surgery. The drape includes a base filmdefining a target region, means for attaching the base film to a bodysurface of the patient, and an evacuation port in fluid communicationwith the target region. In this regard, the evacuation port isconfigured to negatively pressurize the target region and vasodilate thebody surface of the patient adjacent the target region.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a drape system forwarming a patient during a surgical procedure. The drape system includesa drape, a heat source, and a suction device. The drape includes a basefilm defining a target region, means for attaching the base film to abody surface of the patient, and an evacuation port in fluidcommunication with the target region. The heat source communicates withthe base film. The suction device is coupled to the evacuation port andis configured to form a negative local pressure between the targetregion and the body surface of the patient. In this regard, the negativelocal pressure vasodilates the body surface, and the vasodilated bodysurface increases heat transport away from the heat source and into acore of the patient.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method ofincreasing a core temperature in a patient during surgery. The methodprovides draping a body surface of the patient with a drape including atarget region and an evacuation port in fluid communication with thetarget region. The method additionally provides evacuativelyvasodilating the body surface adjacent to the target region. The methodfurther provides transporting heat across the body surface and into acore of the patient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a drape system useful forwarming a patient during a surgical procedure according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a drape according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a drape according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the drape illustrated in FIG. 3according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a drape according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a drape according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a drape including a porousbase film according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following Detailed Description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shownby way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention maybe practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top,”“bottom,” “front,” “back,” “leading,” “trailing,” etc., is used withreference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Becausecomponents of embodiments of the present invention can be positioned ina number of different orientations, the directional terminology is usedfor purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural orlogical changes may be made without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is notto be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present inventionis defined by the appended claims.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a drape system 100 useful forwarming a patient 102 during a surgical procedure according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

In one embodiment, the patient 102 reclines on an operating room (OR)table 104, and the drape system 100 includes a drape 106, a heat source108 communicating with the drape 106, and a suction device 110 coupledto the drape 106. The drape 106 is flexible and includes a base film 112defining a target region 114, means for attaching the base film 112 to abody surface 116 of the patient 102, and an evacuation port 118communicating with the target region 114. In one embodiment, the suctiondevice 110 includes a vacuum pump 120, and tubing 122 fluidly connectedbetween the evacuation port 118 and the pump 120.

The drape system 100 is useful for warming the patient 102 during asurgical procedure. In particular, the suction device 110 is configuredto form a negative local pressure between the target region 114 and thebody surface 116 of the patient 102; the negative local pressurevasodilates the body surface 116, such that the vasodilated body surfaceincreases heat transport away from the heat source 108 and into coreorgans of the patient 102.

In one embodiment, the drape 106 is a sterile drape suited for use in asterile field procedure, although it is to be understood that the drape106 could be employed outside the sterile field. In another embodiment,the drape 106 is a non-sterile drape suited for use in a non-sterilefield, for example on a back of the patient 102, outside of the sterilefield during a chest procedure.

Aspects of the invention provide the drape 106 beneficially coupled tothe body surface 116 of the patient 102, such as on a chest of thepatient 102 as illustrated in FIG. 1. It is to be understood that thedrape 106 can be disposed on any body surface of the patient 102. Forexample, aspects of the invention provide the drape 106 adhered to abody surface of the patient 102 over organs associated with highvolumetric blood flow. In one embodiment, the drape 106 is adhered to abody surface of the patient 102 over the kidney region. In otherembodiments, the drape 106 is adhered to a body surface of the patient102 over the heart, axillary to an arm, over the femoral artery in aleg, or over a portion of the head. While not bound to this theory,vasodilating a body surface of the patient 102 creates a pathway forcirculating blood to carry heat from the patient's body surface to acore of the body (i.e., through the heart), and when coupled with theheat source 108, the “warmed” blood flow transports the added heatdirectly into an internal core of the patient 102.

Suitable materials for the base film 112 of the drape 106 includepolymeric films, in general. In one embodiment, the drape 106 is formedof polyethylene and gamma sterilized. In other embodiments, the drape106 is formed from a polymeric film suited for steam and/or ethyleneoxide and/or gamma radiation sterilization. Exemplary materials for thebase film 112 include polyethylene, polypropylene, block co-polymerssuch as polybutylene, polyester, or blends and/or co-polymers of thesepolymeric materials. In one embodiment that is best illustrated in FIG.6, the base film is a thin incise drape, such as a Steri-Drape™ incisedrape or an Ioban™ incise drape, available from 3M Company, St. Paul,Minn.

Suitable means for heating the target region include a dry chemical heatsource contained within a packet, a reusable liquid pad, and a fluidsystem configured to circulate warm fluid across the target region.

In one embodiment, the heat source 108 includes a dry chemical heatsource contained within a packet. Suitable dry chemical heat sourcesinclude Grabber MYCOAL™ heat packets, available from L+M Distributors,Inc., Smyrna, Del. Other suitable heat sources include therapeutic heatpads such as a TheraTherm™ Digital Moist Heating Pad, available fromPainReliever.com of Wichita, Kans.

In one embodiment, the heat source 108 includes an air activated warmingpad available from, for example, Heat Factory, Vista, Calif. In anotherembodiment, the heat source 108 includes a reusable liquid pad such as aThermo-pad, available from Hood Thermo-Pad, Summerland, BC, Canada.

In one embodiment, the heat source 108 includes a fluid systemconfigured to circulate warm fluid (i.e., a fluid having a temperatureof greater than 90 degrees Fahrenheit, preferably a temperature ofgreater than 98 degrees Fahrenheit) across the target region 114.Suitable fluids circulating systems include hot water bottles, orpressurized re-circulating fluid systems employed in operating roomsgenerally. One suitable fluid circulating system includes an Artic Sun®temperature-controlled water packet, identified as a model 100 andavailable from Kimberly-Clark Health Care, Roswell Ga. In any regard,the heat source 108 communicates with the base film 112 to provide heatthat is efficiently and directly carried from the vasodilated bodysurface to core internal portions of the body of the patient. In oneembodiment, the heat source 108 is disposed on an upper surface of thebase film 112, as illustrated in FIG. 1. In another embodiment, the heatsource 108 is disposed in the target region between the base film andthe body surface of the patient, as best illustrated in FIG. 6.

Suitable means for applying suction to the evacuation port include adevice to form a negative local pressure between the target region andthe body surface of the patient including a vacuum pump and tubingfluidly connected between the evacuation port and the pump.

In one embodiment, suction device 110 is configured to form a negativelocal pressure between the target region 114 and the body surface 116 ofthe patient to vasodilate vessels adjacent to the body surface 116. Ingeneral, the suction device 110 is suited for pulling a vacuum ofbetween zero and 500 millimeters of mercury (i.e., −500 mm Hg), althoughlocal evacuated pressures in the target region 114 of about 50 mm Hgshould initiate a vasodilation of the body surface, thus opening apathway for heat into a core of the body. A suitable suction unitincludes a Gomco® Portable Suction Unit, available from ArmstrongMedical Industries, Inc., Lincolnshire, Ill. Other suitable suctionunits/devices providing a greater vacuum level are also acceptable.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the drape 106 according toone embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the basefilm 112 defines an exterior surface 130 opposite an interior surface132. In one embodiment, the means for attaching the base film 112 to thebody surface 116 includes a gasket 134 coupled to the interior surface132 of the base film 112 and a layer of adhesive 136 disposed on asurface of the gasket 134.

Suitable materials for the gasket 134 include rubber, for examplestyrene butadiene-based rubber, foam, gels and the like. In oneembodiment, the gasket 134 is an annular foam core 134, such as a closedcell foam core adhered to the interior surface 132 of the base film 112.In this manner, the foam core 134 combines with the base film 112 todefine the target region 114 that has a boundary defined by opposingportions of the foam core 134.

In one embodiment, the adhesive 136 is coated onto the gasket 134 andincludes a release liner (not shown) suited for removal such that theadhesive 136 can be adhered to the body surface 116. When in anoperative condition, the adhesive 136 secures the drape 106 to the bodysurface 116, and the evacuation port 118 is in fluid communication withthe target region 114, such that the suction device 110 (FIG. 1) can beoperated to evacuate the target region 114 and effectively suction thebase film 112 to the body surface 116, and negatively pressurize thetarget region 114 adjacent to the body surface 116.

A negative local pressure adjacent the body surface 116 is developedthat causes vessels adjacent to the body surface 116 to vasodilate. Thevasodilated body surface is characterized by an increase in blood flowacross the body surface such that the heat source 108 (FIG. 1)efficiently and rapidly transfers heat from the heat source 108 into acore, for example core organ, of the patient 102. In this regard, theheat source 108 can be disposed adjacent the exterior surface 130 of thebase film 112. In an alternate embodiment, the heat source 108 isdisposed between the interior surface 132 of the base film 112 and thebody surface 116 within the target region 114.

In one embodiment, the suction device 110 (FIG. 1) is operated tocontinuously maintain a negative local pressure in the target region 114adjacent to the body surface 116. For example, in one embodiment thesuction device 110 is continuously operated to maintain a negativepressure in the target region from between 10 mm Hg to 500 mm Hg,preferably from 50-250 mm Hg. In another embodiment, the evacuation port118 includes a one-way valve 140 disposed within a stem 142 of theevacuation port 118 that permits evacuate to flow from the target region114 to an exterior of the drape 106, but does not permit air to flowfrom the room through stem 142 into the target region 114.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a drape 200 according toanother embodiment of the present invention. The drape 200 includes abase film 202 defining a target region 204, means for attaching the basefilm 202 to a body surface 206 of a patient, and an evacuation port 208in fluid communication with the target region 204.

In one embodiment, the means for attaching the base film 202 to the bodysurface 206 includes a gasket 210 coupled to an interior surface 212 ofthe base film 202 and a layer of adhesive 214 disposed on a surface ofthe gasket 210. Suitable materials for the gasket 210 include rubber,for example styrene butadiene-based rubber, foam, gels and the like. Inone embodiment, the gasket 210 is similar to the gasket 134 (FIG. 2) andis a foam core. In one embodiment, the evacuation port 208 is integrallyformed in and through the gasket 210 and is in fluid communication withthe target region 208. In one embodiment, the evacuation port 208defines a one-way valve configured to permit fluid flow to be evacuatedfrom the target region 204.

The evacuation port 208 is coupled to the suction device 110 (FIG. 1),where the suction device 110 evacuates the target region 204 andnegatively pressurizes the target region 204 and vasodilates vesselsadjacent to the body surface 206 of the patient near the target region204. In one embodiment, the heat source 108 (FIG. 1) is placed across anexterior surface 216 of the base film 202, and heat is conducted throughthe base film 202, which is in contact with the body surface 206, andinto the patient. In another embodiment, the heat source 108 is disposedin the target region 204 between the base film 202 and the body surface206 prior to a suction device 110 evacuating the target region 204 viathe evacuation port 208. As a point of reference, during evacuation bythe suction device 110, the base film 202 is collapsed onto the bodysurface 206.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the drape 200. The exterior surface 216of the base film 202 is oriented up in the view of FIG. 4, and theevacuation port 208 extends through the annular gasket 210 tocommunicate with the target region 204. During an evacuation procedureof the target region 204, tubing 122 (FIG. 1) is connected to theevacuation port 208 and extends to a suction pump, for example the pump120 (FIG. 1). In this regard, the tubing 122 is underneath the base film202 such that the exterior surface 216 of the drape 200 is not clutteredwith tubing.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a drape 300 according toanother embodiment of the present invention. The drape 300 includes abase film 302 defining a target region 304, means for attaching the basefilm 302 to a body surface 306 of a patient, and an evacuation port 308in fluid communication with the target region 304. In one embodiment,the means for attaching the base film 302 to the body surface 306 of thepatient includes a bead 310 of adhesive encircling a non-adhesive area312 of an interior surface 314 of the base film 302. In one embodiment,the evacuation port 308 is coupled to the base film 302 and is in fluidcommunication with the target region 304 via the non-adhesive area 312.

In one embodiment, the bead 310 of adhesive is a high water contentadhesive. Suitable high water content adhesives include adhesivesemployed to attach conductive medical electrodes to a body, such as EKGand other electrodes. Suitable high water content adhesives includePermaGel™ hydrogel adhesives, available from Tyco Healthcare, Uni-Patch,Wabasha, Minn.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, the target region 204 and 304 are sealed toand displaced away from the body surface 206, 306, respectively. That isto say, in one embodiment the base film in an area of the target regionis displaced away from the body surface. In this manner, evacuation ofthe target region will negatively pressurize the target region andvasodilate vessels of the body surface of the patient adjacent to thetarget region.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a drape 400 according toanother embodiment of the present invention. The drape 400 includes abase film 402, a layer 404 of adhesive coated onto an interior surface406 of the base film 402, and a second film 408 coupled to an exteriorsurface 410 of the base film 402. In one embodiment, the layer 404 ofadhesive is continuously coated over an area of the base film 402 todefine a target region 412. In one embodiment, an evacuation port 414 iscoupled to the second film 408 and is in fluid communication with thetarget region 412.

The second film 408 is coupled to the exterior surface 410 of the basefilm 402 about a perimeter of the target region 412 to define a targetpocket 420. Exemplary materials for the second film 408 includepolyethylene, polypropylene, block co-polymers such as polybutylene,polyester, or blends and/or co-polymers of these polymeric materials. Asa point of reference, the heat source 108 is disposed within the targetpocket 420.

During use, the layer 404 of continuous adhesive attaches the base film402 to a body surface 422 of a patient, and the evacuation port 414 incombination with the suction device 110 (FIG. 1) evacuates the targetpocket 420 to negatively pressurize the target region 412 and vasodilatevasculature of the body surface 422 of the patient adjacent to thetarget region 412. In this regard, the base film 402 and the adhesive404 are preferably thin, pliant materials suited to conform over a bodysurface and respond to the pressurization or suction of the suctiondevice 110. In one embodiment, a suitable combination of base film 402and adhesive 404 includes, for example, an incise drape as identifiedabove and including a thin barrier film and a continuous layer ofadhesive coated on one side of the thin film.

In one embodiment, the adhesive 404 is a high water content adhesivethat conducts heat from the heat source 108 to the vasodilated bodysurface 422 of the patient. Suitable high water content adhesivesinclude adhesives employed to attach conductive medical electrodes to abody, such as EKG electrodes and other electrodes. Suitable high watercontent adhesives include PermaGel™ hydrogel adhesives, available fromTyco Healthcare, Uni-Patch, Wabasha, Minn.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a drape 500 according toanother embodiment of the present invention. The drape 500 includes abase film 502 that defines a plurality of pores 504 distributed across atarget region 506, and a second film 508 coupled to an exterior surface510 of the base film 502 about a perimeter 512 of the target region 506to define a target pocket 514 between the second film 508 and the basefilm 502. In one embodiment, the base film 502 is a polyethylene filmdefining a macro-porous array of pores 504. Films suitable for porousbase film 502 are available from Tredegar Films Products, Richmond, Va.

In one embodiment, an evacuation port 516 is coupled to the second film508, where the evacuation port 516 is in fluid communication with thetarget region 506 via the target pocket 514. In one embodiment, a heatsource, for example, heat source 108 of FIG. 1, is disposed on anexterior side 520 of the second film 508 and transfers heat through thedrape 500 and through the base film 502. In another embodiment, the heatsource 108 is disposed within target pocket 514.

During use, a suction device, for example suction device 110 of FIG. 1,is coupled to the evacuation port 516 to evacuate the target pocket 514.In evacuating the target pocket 514, the suction device 110 suctions theporous base film 502 onto a body surface 522 of a patient.

Various embodiments of the present invention have been described thatpermit heating and increasing a core body temperature of an anesthetizedpatient during a surgical procedure. For example, a drape system hasbeen described that includes a flexible drape, a heat source, and asuction device. The flexible drape includes a base film defining atarget region, means for attaching the base film to a body surface ofthe patient, and an evacuation port in fluid communication with thetarget region. The heat source communicates with the base film. Thesuction device is coupled to the evacuation port and when activated,forms a negative local pressure between the target region and the bodysurface of the patient. The negative local pressure vasodilates vesselsadjacent to the body surface to increase heat transport away from theheat source and into a core of the patient.

By the mechanism described above, the vaso-constricted and anesthetizedpatient whose natural thermoregulatory response is depressed can beintro-operatively warmed by the increased delivery of heat into theblood flowing through the vasodilated vasculature. Patients who are keptwarm during surgery generally have quicker recovery times, and are at areduced risk of acquiring a surgical site infection.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the artthat a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may besubstituted for the specific embodiments shown and described withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. This application isintended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specificembodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that thisinvention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

1. A drape system for warming a patient during a surgical procedure, thedrape system comprising: a drape including: a base film defining atarget region, means for attaching the base film to a body surface ofthe patient such that the target region forms at least one open spacecommunicating with the body surface of the patient, the base filmconfigured to drape over and not around a portion of the patient, anevacuation port in fluid communication with the target region; a heatsource communicating with the base film; and a suction device coupled tothe evacuation port, the suction device configured to form a negativelocal pressure between the target region and the body surface of thepatient; wherein the negative local pressure vasodilates the bodysurface, the vasodilated body surface increasing heat transport awayfrom the heat source and into a core of the patient.
 2. The drape systemof claim 1, wherein the means for attaching the base film to a bodysurface of the patient comprises sealingly attaching a perimeter of thetarget region to the body surface and displacing a central portion ofthe base film in the target region away from the body surface.
 3. Thedrape system of claim 1, wherein heat source is disposed between thebase film and the body surface of the patient, the heat source adheredto the body surface of the patient via a thermally conducting adhesive.4. The drape of claim 1, wherein the heat source comprises a drychemical heat source contained in a packet.
 5. The drape of claim 1,wherein the heat source comprises a fluid circulated across the targetregion, the fluid having a temperature of greater than 98 degreesFahrenheit.
 6. The drape of claim 5, wherein the fluid is circulatedacross the target region in contact with a surface of the base film thatis oriented to face away from the body surface of the patient.
 7. Thedrape system of claim 1, wherein the drape further comprises: a secondfilm coupled to a surface of the base film facing away from the bodysurface of the patient about a perimeter of the target region to definea target pocket between the second film and the base film, theevacuation port coupled to the second film; wherein the base filmdefines a plurality of pores and the suction device evacuates the targetpocket such that porous base film is suctioned onto the body surface. 8.The drape system of claim 1, wherein the at least one open spacecommunicating with the body surface of the patient comprises a pluralityof openings formed in the base film.
 9. The drape system of claim 1,wherein the drape comprises an incise drape.
 10. The drape system ofclaim 1, wherein the means for attaching the base film to a body surfaceof the patient comprises an adhesive disposed on the base film.
 11. Thedrape system of claim 10, wherein the adhesive is a high water contentadhesive configured to increase heat conduction between the targetregion and the body surface of the patient.
 12. The drape system ofclaim 1, wherein the means for attaching the base film to a body surfaceof the patient comprises a bead of adhesive encircling a portion of thebase film.
 13. The drape system of claim 1, wherein the means forattaching the base film to a body surface of the patient comprises anannular gasket coupled to the base film, the annular gasket comprisingadhesive.
 14. A method of increasing a core temperature in a patientduring surgery, the method comprising: draping a body portion of thepatient with a drape including a target region and an evacuation port influid communication with the target region; attaching the target regionto the patient to form a pocket sealed on its perimeter to a skin areaof the patient, the pocket forming at least one opening to the skin areaof the patient and not surrounding the body portion of the patient;evacuating the pocket and vasodilating the skin area of the patient; andtransporting heat through the vasodilated skin area of the patient andinto a core of the patient.
 15. The method of claim 14, comprising oneof adhesively attaching the target region to the patient and vacuumingthe target region to the patient.
 16. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising: one of inserting a dry heat source into the pocket,introducing a warming pad into the pocket, introducing a reusable liquidheating pad into the pocket, and introducing a heated fluid to thepocket.
 17. A drape system for warming a patient during a surgicalprocedure, the drape system comprising: a drape including: a base filmdefining a target region, means for attaching the base film to a bodysurface of the patient such that the target region has an openingcommunicating with the body surface of the patient and the base filmdrapes over and not around the patient, an evacuation port in fluidcommunication with the target region; means for heating the targetregion; and means for applying suction to the evacuation port, therebyvasodilating the body surface of the patient, and thereby transportingheat into a core of the patient.
 18. The drape system of claim 17,wherein means for heating the target region comprises circulating afluid having a temperature of greater than 98 degrees Fahrenheit overthe base film.
 19. The drape system of claim 17, wherein the drapecomprises an incise drape.
 20. The drape system of claim 17, wherein thedrape further comprises: a second film coupled to the base film over thetarget region to define a target pocket between the second film and thebase film, the evacuation port coupled to the second film, and the meansfor applying suction comprises means for applying suction to the targetpocket.